Linza v. PHH Mortgage Corp. et al.: United Law Center Defeats Bank in Mortgage Mod. Trial, Yields Largest Award, $500k Damages, $15.7 million in Punitive
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) July 22, 2014 -- United Law Center (ULC, a professional law corporation), the California consumer law firm leading the litigation charge in protecting consumer rights against wrongful foreclosure, has obtained a decisive victory in a mortgage modification fraud case in Linza v. PHH Mortgage Corporation et al. (Yuba County Superior Ct. No. 12-0000714). The Northern California jury found for the Plaintiff, awarding $513,902 in damages and $15.7 million in punitive damages against the Defendant bank. The trial took place in the Superior Court for Yuba County. ULC has specialized in this area of law since 2008. This represents the largest trial award won by ULC, among its nearly 800 clients in this area of law. The jury decision in this case sets a precedent in this area of litigation in California, sending a clear message as to what juries think of arrogant and reckless banking practices.
“For some 15 years, the banking industry’s conduct toward its consumers (mortgage holders) can be described as nothing less than oppressive,” explained Stephen Foondos, founder and managing attorney for United Law Center. “This verdict sends the very clear message that such conduct will no longer be tolerated and that the individual homeowner has legal rights to combat such wrongful and outrageous business practices.”
The Linza suit alleged that his servicer breached its contract and acted fraudulently in respect to its business practices by providing a loan modification but then repeatedly switched the amount of those payments and initiated foreclosure proceedings. The foreclosure sale of Mr. Linza’s home would have occurred in 2012 had ULC not intervened. In total, Linza and ULC sued on 11 causes of action including fraud, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Based on a previously published California case by ULC, Bushell v. JPMorgan/Chase (3rd Dist. Ct. App. No. C070643), homeowners in California may sue on a fraud cause of action for false promise if a bank promises a homeowner a modification, but ends up denying the modification. ULC has four published cases in California in this area of law. For more information please visit http://www.UnitedLawCenter.com.
Homeowners interested in determining if they have a case similar to Linza or other landmark mortgage real estate cases like Bushell or Glaski can visit http://www.unitedlawcenter.com and take a few minutes to fill out a simple form about their experience with their mortgage company or servicer. They can also call United Law Center at 916-367-0622 to book a free, no-time limit consultation.
About United Law Center
United Law Center is the consumer law firm leading the litigation charge against wrongful foreclosure, modification and title fraud and other consumer oriented violations in California. With four published cases on the books in California, United Law Center is securing case law in favor of homeowners fighting banks to keep their homes. United Law Center is there for homeowners on potential consumer law violation. To determine if a homeowner has a valid case, they are encouraged to visit http://www.unitedlawcenter.com to schedule a free no-time-limit consultation.
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Heather Atherton, Atherton Public Relations, http://www.AthertonPR.com, +1 (916) 316-4568, [email protected]
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